Santa Clara County, California
ARES/RACES

Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS)
Introductory Course of Instruction

Module A3: SEMS Operating Requirements and Individual Responsibilities

A3.2: SEMS Pre-Assignment Responsibilities

The activation of any SEMS level (field or EOC) may require personnel to be temporarily relocated for an indefinite time. While most activation's will generally be of short duration (one day to a few days), there may be situations in which personnel will be absent from their normal workplace and homes for extended periods many days or even weeks.

The following are general guidelines to take before departing for those situations which will require an extended stay or out-of-jurisdiction travel:

• Assemble or update a travel kit containing any special technical information; for example, maps, manuals, contact lists, and other reference materials that you may need.
• Prepare personal items that you will need for your estimated length of stay.
• Review your emergency assignment. Know to whom you will report and what your responsibility will be.
• Have a clear understanding of the decision-making authority you hold for your agency while at an incident or at an EOC. Determine this as soon as you realize you may be assigned to an incident or to your own or another EOC.
• Determine what communications procedures should be followed so you can contact your headquarters or home office if necessary.
• Ensure that family members know your destination and how to contact you in the event of a family emergency.
• Familiarize yourself with travel and pick-up arrangements that have been established for you.
• Determine what your return mode of transposition will be if possible.